Load Specifications
Load data in caliber .38-45 ACP with .357 | 148gr | H&N WC HS bullet and 52 powders. The key underlying parameters are shown in the table above. The recommended powders for this cartridge and bullet combination are Alliant Herco, Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistol and Vihtavuori N32C Tin Star.
Important Notice: DO NOT go below Minimum Charge or above Maximum Charge. Since we have no control over the equipment and components used, any responsibility and liability for the results achieved is rejected.
Only powders/loads that match the current filter criteria are displayed: max pressure of a load ≤ 90% of max. standardized pressure, fill rate ≥ 60% and propellant combustion ≥ 80%. Use the sliders above the tables to adjust these thresholds.
Charge: Powder weight in grains. Start with the minimum load and work up carefully.
FR (Fill Rate): Case fill as a percentage. Values above 100% mean compressed loads.
MaxP / %: Maximum chamber pressure in bar and as a percentage of the standardized maximum for this caliber.
V(0): Muzzle velocity in feet per second (fps) at the standardized barrel length.
z (Powder Burn): Estimated propellant combustion percentage at bullet exit.
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Max Load - Barrel Length: 5"
| Powder | Charge | FR | MaxP | % | V(0) | z |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accurate No. 2² | <<locked>> | 68% | 28,776 psi | 84% | 1184 fps | 100% |
| Accurate Solo 1000² | <<locked>> | 68% | 29,022 psi | 85% | 1099 fps | 100% |
| Accurate Solo 1250² | <<locked>> | 76% | 30,443 psi | 89% | 1175 fps | 100% |
| ADI AP 100 | <<locked>> | 92% | 30,240 psi | 89% | 1276 fps | 96.6% |
| ADI AP 70N² | <<locked>> | 64% | 30,821 psi | 90% | 1191 fps | 100% |
| ADI APS 350² | <<locked>> | 64% | 27,963 psi | 82% | 988 fps | 100% |
| ADI APS 450² | <<locked>> | 68% | 30,211 psi | 89% | 1043 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 30² | <<locked>> | 68% | 28,108 psi | 82% | 1063 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 50N² | <<locked>> | 68% | 30,589 psi | 90% | 1135 fps | 100% |
| Alliant BE-86² | <<locked>> | 72% | 28,703 psi | 84% | 1142 fps | 100% |
| Alliant BULLSEYE² | <<locked>> | 64% | 28,718 psi | 84% | 1207 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Green Dot² | <<locked>> | 68% | 28,964 psi | 85% | 1109 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Herco | <<locked>> | 88% | 28,877 psi | 85% | 1217 fps | 100% |
| Alliant POWER PISTOL² | <<locked>> | 76% | 30,110 psi | 88% | 1312 fps | 95.9% |
| Alliant RED DOT² | <<locked>> | 72% | 29,559 psi | 87% | 1099 fps | 100% |
| Alliant UNIQUE² | <<locked>> | 76% | 30,632 psi | 90% | 1247 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 100² | <<locked>> | 68% | 27,311 psi | 80% | 1086 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistol | <<locked>> | 88% | 28,355 psi | 83% | 1115 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 103 Pistol² | <<locked>> | 68% | 30,589 psi | 90% | 1148 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Clays² | <<locked>> | 76% | 29,660 psi | 87% | 1037 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 15,127 psi | 44% | 869 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Universal² | <<locked>> | 68% | 29,051 psi | 85% | 1171 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S020² | <<locked>> | 68% | 29,283 psi | 86% | 1191 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 1² | <<locked>> | 76% | 28,689 psi | 84% | 1148 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 2² | <<locked>> | 72% | 27,514 psi | 81% | 1138 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 3² | <<locked>> | 72% | 28,921 psi | 85% | 1129 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 4² | <<locked>> | 68% | 28,500 psi | 84% | 1102 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 5² | <<locked>> | 64% | 29,095 psi | 85% | 1063 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 12² | <<locked>> | 64% | 28,587 psi | 84% | 1138 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 13,474 psi | 40% | 869 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 20² | <<locked>> | 76% | 28,674 psi | 84% | 1214 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 24*² | <<locked>> | 76% | 27,615 psi | 81% | 1270 fps | 89.1% |
| Rottweil P 806 | <<locked>> | 84% | 28,747 psi | 84% | 1325 fps | 99.2% |
| SNPE Vectan A0² | <<locked>> | 76% | 28,587 psi | 84% | 1175 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan A1² | <<locked>> | 68% | 29,225 psi | 86% | 1142 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA 9² | <<locked>> | 68% | 28,282 psi | 83% | 1145 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA10² | <<locked>> | 64% | 30,211 psi | 89% | 1043 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA7 1/2 | <<locked>> | 84% | 30,371 psi | 89% | 1250 fps | 99.5% |
| SNPE Vectan BA9 1/2² | <<locked>> | 72% | 30,545 psi | 90% | 1181 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 2² | <<locked>> | 72% | 29,472 psi | 86% | 1316 fps | 97.2% |
| Somchem MP200² | <<locked>> | 68% | 28,500 psi | 84% | 1207 fps | 100% |
| Somchem MS200² | <<locked>> | 72% | 29,066 psi | 85% | 1191 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S221*² | <<locked>> | 64% | 27,818 psi | 82% | 1257 fps | 92.5% |
| Vihtavuori 3N37² | <<locked>> | 76% | 29,182 psi | 86% | 1253 fps | 99.7% |
| Vihtavuori 3N38* | <<locked>> | 92% | 29,921 psi | 88% | 1299 fps | 91.4% |
| Vihtavuori N105* | <<locked>> | 96% | 27,833 psi | 82% | 1322 fps | 94.5% |
| Vihtavuori N320² | <<locked>> | 68% | 30,023 psi | 88% | 1129 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N32C Tin Starᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 29,269 psi | 86% | 1056 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N330² | <<locked>> | 68% | 29,254 psi | 86% | 1175 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N340² | <<locked>> | 72% | 28,543 psi | 84% | 1188 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N350 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,239 psi | 83% | 1234 fps | 99.7% |
| Winchester AutoComp ² | <<locked>> | 76% | 29,530 psi | 87% | 1178 fps | 100% |
Recommended = one of the top powders for this cartridge and bullet combination.
Start Load - Barrel Length: 5"
| Powder | Charge | FR | MaxP | % | V(0) | z |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accurate No. 2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 21,930 psi | 64% | 1076 fps | 99.6% |
| Accurate Solo 1000² | <<locked>> | 60% | 23,018 psi | 68% | 1017 fps | 100% |
| Accurate Solo 1250² | <<locked>> | 60% | 19,232 psi | 56% | 1007 fps | 100% |
| ADI AP 100*² | <<locked>> | 68% | 15,954 psi | 47% | 997 fps | 86.4% |
| ADI AP 70N² | <<locked>> | 60% | 27,369 psi | 80% | 1148 fps | 100% |
| ADI APS 350² | <<locked>> | 60% | 25,135 psi | 74% | 951 fps | 100% |
| ADI APS 450² | <<locked>> | 60% | 24,033 psi | 71% | 965 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 30² | <<locked>> | 60% | 22,858 psi | 67% | 991 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 50N² | <<locked>> | 60% | 24,468 psi | 72% | 1053 fps | 100% |
| Alliant BE-86² | <<locked>> | 60% | 19,493 psi | 57% | 1007 fps | 100% |
| Alliant BULLSEYE² | <<locked>> | 60% | 25,353 psi | 74% | 1155 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Green Dot² | <<locked>> | 60% | 23,975 psi | 70% | 1037 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Herco² | 5.6 gr | 60% | 13,634 psi | 40% | 922 fps | 97.2% |
| Alliant POWER PISTOL*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 18,507 psi | 54% | 1083 fps | 88% |
| Alliant RED DOT² | <<locked>> | 60% | 21,538 psi | 63% | 988 fps | 100% |
| Alliant UNIQUE² | <<locked>> | 60% | 18,898 psi | 55% | 1050 fps | 99.7% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 100² | <<locked>> | 60% | 21,625 psi | 63% | 1007 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistol² | 5.2 gr | 60% | 13,184 psi | 39% | 869 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 103 Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 23,192 psi | 68% | 1053 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Clays² | <<locked>> | 60% | 19,754 psi | 58% | 902 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss² | <<locked>> | 60% | 6,280 psi | 18% | 630 fps | 99.7% |
| Hodgdon Universal² | <<locked>> | 60% | 22,684 psi | 67% | 1076 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S020² | <<locked>> | 60% | 22,640 psi | 66% | 1096 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 1² | <<locked>> | 60% | 18,333 psi | 54% | 988 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 19,014 psi | 56% | 1014 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 3² | <<locked>> | 60% | 20,827 psi | 61% | 1010 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 4² | <<locked>> | 60% | 22,553 psi | 66% | 1020 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 5² | <<locked>> | 60% | 25,367 psi | 74% | 1017 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 12² | <<locked>> | 60% | 25,135 psi | 74% | 1093 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14² | <<locked>> | 60% | 5,773 psi | 17% | 623 fps | 96.5% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 20² | <<locked>> | 60% | 17,840 psi | 52% | 1037 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 24*² | <<locked>> | 72% | 24,439 psi | 72% | 1211 fps | 86.8% |
| Rottweil P 806*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 11,676 psi | 34% | 951 fps | 85.5% |
| SNPE Vectan A0² | <<locked>> | 60% | 18,246 psi | 54% | 1001 fps | 99.5% |
| SNPE Vectan A1² | <<locked>> | 60% | 23,264 psi | 68% | 1056 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA 9² | <<locked>> | 60% | 22,437 psi | 66% | 1060 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA10² | <<locked>> | 60% | 27,470 psi | 81% | 1010 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA7 1/2*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 15,040 psi | 44% | 955 fps | 91.4% |
| SNPE Vectan BA9 1/2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 21,234 psi | 62% | 1047 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 2*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 19,450 psi | 57% | 1125 fps | 91.2% |
| Somchem MP200² | <<locked>> | 60% | 22,031 psi | 65% | 1102 fps | 99.9% |
| Somchem MS200² | <<locked>> | 60% | 20,247 psi | 59% | 1050 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S221*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 24,105 psi | 71% | 1188 fps | 90.2% |
| Vihtavuori 3N37² | <<locked>> | 60% | 17,579 psi | 52% | 1040 fps | 95.1% |
| Vihtavuori 3N38* | <<locked>> | 84% | 23,917 psi | 70% | 1194 fps | 87.5% |
| Vihtavuori N105* | <<locked>> | 84% | 19,000 psi | 56% | 1145 fps | 87.4% |
| Vihtavuori N320² | <<locked>> | 60% | 23,656 psi | 69% | 1047 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N32C Tin Star² | 4.1 gr | 60% | 11,458 psi | 34% | 781 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N330² | <<locked>> | 60% | 22,539 psi | 66% | 1083 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N340² | <<locked>> | 60% | 19,609 psi | 58% | 1043 fps | 99.9% |
| Vihtavuori N350*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 15,055 psi | 44% | 978 fps | 93.1% |
| Winchester AutoComp ² | <<locked>> | 60% | 18,855 psi | 55% | 1014 fps | 100% |
Recommended = one of the top powders for this cartridge and bullet combination.
* not dangerous but load has suboptimal powder burnt with possible characteristics such as extensive muzzle flash or inaccurate loads.
² fill rate low - you might want to consider using a filler to ensure proper ignition.
ᴾ possible press load - work up slowly to this load while watching for signs of excessive pressure.
This overview compares 52 powders for .38-45 ACP loaded with the .357 | 148gr | H&N WC HS. Rottweil P 806 delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 1,325 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 869 fps to 1,325 fps. Hodgdon TrailBoss gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 11 of the 52 powders fall inside the usable 80–100 % fill window.
Relative to the caliber's maximum pressure (235 MPa), the top charges use 40–90 %, leaving at least 10 % headroom. Hodgdon TrailBoss, ReloadSwiss RS 14, Vihtavuori N32C Tin Star reach 100 % fill or more at maximum charge, so these are compressed loads: they need a long drop tube to seat cleanly and react sensitively to the case capacity of your own brass lot. Alliant Herco, Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistol, Vihtavuori N32C Tin Star rank at the top here: for .38-45 ACP with the .357 | 148gr | H&N WC HS they combine a high case fill with complete burn and sit in the upper velocity band. As outliers, ReloadSwiss RS 24, Somchem S221, Vihtavuori 3N38 burn incompletely and react more sensitively to barrel length and temperature. Accurate No. 2, Accurate Solo 1000, Accurate Solo 1250 stay subsonic at start load. Always begin at the start load and work up in small increments while checking case and primer for pressure signs.